Barium - scandium oxide target for a dispenser cathode

摘要

The invention relates to the field of production of barium-scandate dispenser cathodes or other barium-scandate materials. A target (66) containing a mixture of BaO, CaO, Al2O3 and Sc2O3 tends to be more stable, the higher the scandia (scandium oxide) content is. However, an increased scandia content results in a reduced emission capability. A destabilizing effect of BaO and CaO reactions is counteracted by the more inert Sc2O3 and also Al2O3 components, as not only an increased scandia content stabilizes the material but also an increased alumina (aluminum oxide) content improves the stability.